2022 Olympic Winter GamesCurrent bid process

On 7 July, 2014, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach announced Oslo (Norway), Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Beijing (People’s Republic of China)* as Candidate Cities for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.** This announcement marked the culmination of Phase 1 of a two phase bid process. The timelines for this process are outlined below.

Applicant Phase

The IOC published the 2022 Candidature Acceptance Procedure in June 2013. NOCs had until 14 November 2013 to submit their application to the IOC. On 15 November 2013 the IOC announced the 2022 Applicant Cities. From 4 to 6 December 2013, Applicant Cities took part in the Applicant City Seminar in Lausanne. The Seminar, which draws from a wealth of knowledge from the IOC and previous host cities, is a valuable knowledge tool that walks the Applicant Cities through the bidding process and provides a comprehensive introduction to both the complexity, scope, scale, and opportunities and benefits of hosting an Olympic Games. The meetings give the Applicant Cities a clearer understanding of what the Olympic product is and helps them create a long-term vision that best fits the needs of their city.

During Phase I, the Applicant Cities were required to answer an IOC questionnaire and submit their answers, called an Application File, to the IOC on 14 March 2014. The Application File was then studied by an IOC-appointed Working Group. This Group, which includes representatives of various Olympic stakeholders such as the International Federations (IFs), the National Olympic Committees and the IOC Athletes’ Commission, carries out a detailed risk assessment and makes a thorough and detailed report to the IOC Executive Board, which is then responsible for selecting the cities that will advance to Phase II. The cities selected become Candidate Cities. This selection took place on 7 July 2014.

Candidature Phase

The Candidate Cities are required to answer the second-phase IOC questionnaire and submit much more detailed plans to the IOC which are contained in a Candidature File (a city’s blueprint for the Olympic Games). The Candidature File, submitted on 6 January 2015, is accompanied by legally binding guarantee letters. The areas covered in the Candidature File range from the Olympic Village, transport, security and accommodation to sports and venues, the environment, marketing, engagement and many more.

The Candidature File and accompanying documents are analysed by an IOC Evaluation Commission which, like the Phase I Working Group, also includes representatives of various Olympic stakeholders such as the IFs, NOCs and the IOC Athletes’ Commission, as well as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The Commission pays an on-site visit to each city in February/March of 2015 and produces a risk assessment report which is provided to all IOC members, highlighting the risks and opportunities presented by each city’s project.

Election of the Host City

The Candidate Cities deliver a number of presentations during the second phase of the bid process, and the final presentation is given on the election day to the IOC members. This will take place on 31 July 2015 during the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur. Following the presentations and a report given by the Evaluation Commission Chair, the IOC members vote to elect the host city. The newly elected host city then signs the Host City Contract with the IOC.

Past Bid Processes

20 July 2015All about the 128th IOC SessionThe election of the host cities for the Olympic Winter Games 2022 and the Youth Olympic Winter Games 2020 will be the highlights of the upcoming 128th IOC Session, taking place from 31 July to 3 Augus...